According to the history of Kodaikanal, this hill resort was discovered in the early nineteenth century during the colonial period.
It was, however, during the 1840s that the people first started settling in this place. Besides the British,the other early settlers of the place, having loving memories about Kodaikanal, were the American, French, Swedish, Irish and German missionaries.
A walking track up to Kodaikanal was made from the Kumbakarai falls, at the foothills near Periyakulam town. Only palanquins could pass through this path. Later, in the early twentieth century, the Law's Ghat road was constructed. This road was opened for regular traffic during 1920s.
The star shaped Kodaikanal lake came into existence in 1863 and it still serves as the water source of the temple city of Palani. It was only during the 1960s, that Kodaikanal started gaining importance as a tourist spot. Rich and elite Indians started setting up resorts in this place.
The 1980s was the most important time in the history of Kodaikanal. Tourism started booming up in this place changing the whole scenario of the region.
Last Updated on : 05 May 2011
